In contrast, kindergartens and pre-primary classes were generally created by the middle-classes to prepare young children for primary schooling.
For instance, the Table shows that there are two teachers teaching pre-primary classes in school D and H who were trained in general education.
For this reason, therefore, ascertaining the availability, number and types of pre-primary children with special educational needs in these schools (ordinary pre-primary classes) was essential.
Findings from both studies showed that children with developmentally appropriate preschool experiences (kindergartens or separate pre-primary classes) had higher school readiness scores than other children.
Out of 30 pre-primary children with special educational needs, only 11 (36.66%) were found in special school, 3 (10%) were in inclusive setting with one special educator; however, majority, that is, 16 (53.33%) children were in ordinary pre-primary classes without a special educator.
From the 21 interviewed informants (i.e., class teachers and heads of schools) and the review of admission register for pre-primary children, it was revealed that there were five types of special educational needs categories in ten mainstream pre-primary classes, namely children with visual impairment, speech impairment, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, and physical disabilities.
The study found that out of 30 pre-primary children with special educational needs, only 11 (36.66%) were in special school, 3 (10%) were in inclusive setting with one special educator; however, majority, that is, 16 (53.33%) children were in ordinary pre-primary classes without a special educator.
"Since coming to the pre-primary classes, the children have changed so much.
At Krishnanagar, Head Teacher Mohammad Akifuzzaman had long been convinced of the need for pre-primary classes.
In February 2010, the Government of Bangladesh issued a directive that from 2011 all primary schools in the country would incorporate pre-primary classes.
Schools will have 50 or more students (two or more classes) enrolled in Pre-Primary classes for children aged 4 or 5 years.
